177 F. 935 | 2d Cir. | 1910
The opinion of Judge Chatfield sets forth the facts with sufficient fullness. It is not necessary to repeat them. A brief statement of our conclusions is sufficient.
In 1876 Almond patented a chuck which commended itself to the trade and commanded a good market during the life of the patent. Tt was operated by revolving a sleeve in one or the other direction. Nothing was said in the patent as to how it should be thus revolved. In practice this was done either by the unaided fingers, the sleeve being
Much is said in argument of the “Jacobs chuck” making better sales and being substituted in many workshops for the “Almond chuck.” This is not quite accurate. What complainant is selling is in reality the Almond chuck — a Chinese'copy of the old one which the trade has known favorably for many years.' It is equally well made and sells as cheaply; indeed, -there is some evidence from which it might be inferred that a larger discount is offered to the trade. It is not surprising that the trade prefei's to get the Almond chuck operated with a toothed key rather than the same chuck operated with a spanner; but that fact alone does not establish invention.
The decree is affirmed, with costs.